OPERATION MACARTHUR, THE BATTLES AT DAK TO - Corregidor

NVA Soldiers, 1967. (Web photo)
The NVA were approaching on a large, well-traveled
trail that was very well constructed, including steps cut
into the side of the hill. They smashed into the west
flank of the 2d Platoon near the front, cutting them off
from the rest of the their company around the LZ. SGT
Aaron Hervas was leading the 2d Platoon when the
NVA opened up with a heavy volume of fire. He spun
firing, hitting several NVA before he was felled with a
bullet through the head. SP4 Frank Stokes and PVT
Ernesto Villereal were killed in action. SP4 Benzing and
PFC Sexton were pinned down. SP4 Orendorf and some
others moved down and got Sexton out, however, SP4
Benzing, after killing 5-10 NVA from behind a tree, was
himself killed. LT Remington was hit in both arms and
both legs. PSG Smith (SSG E6) and several others were
wounded in the fire fight. The 2d Platoon consolidated
as best they could and pulled back up the hill to “C” and
“D” Companies perimeter. The 3d Platoon was on the
eastern side of the ridge, met lesser resistance and was
able to link up with the LZ. They did receive effective
fire from the west and sustained several casualties, as the
NVA had smashed through to the main trail.
The NVA were
evidently well prepared
for the battle. The rear
attack from the left flank
and mortar attack, all
came within minutes of
each other. Both of the
attacking forces were
estimated to be company
size. Several of the NVA
were well camouflaged.
It was noticed that several
of the NVA had strange
grins on their faces. One
trooper reported seeing an
NVA charge into a tree,
bounce off and continue
his charge. When the hill
was finally taken, it was
noticed that many of the
enemy casualties and
equipment had been
policed from the
battlefield, indicating that
the enemy had avenues of
withdrawal that could
have been utilized at any
time.
“A” Company’s CP
group was hit by one of
the initial mortar rounds
wounding Captain Kiley, LT Busenlehner, SGT Lyons,
SGT Stacey and others. The CP group was then caught
in the midst of an NVA attack from the west. A “C”
Company medic who had been one of the wounded at
the LZ said that the NVA came “swarming” up the side
of the ridge. The CP group killed several of the NVA
force before succumbing. There were six (6) in the CP
group and they all went down fighting. Captain Kiley,
SP5 Taylor (the Senior Medic who had been treating
Captain Kiley and the others), SP4 Young (RTO) and
three others all died fighting. One of the group was shot
in the legs and the “C” Company medic could not carry
him and had to abandon him to scramble back to the
perimeter. LT Busenlehner, SGT Stacey and SGT
Lyons had moved down to the Weapons Platoon near the
LZ and instructed them to withdraw since the CP had
been knocked out. The Weapons Platoon took their one
good radio and as many of the wounded as they could
carry and moved back up towards the “C” and “D”
Company perimeter.
(continued….)
2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / November 2012 – Issue 47
Page 40 of 125